Fetal Pig Dissection Practice Flashcards

A comprehensive set of vocabulary flashcards covering the external and internal anatomy, thoracic and abdominal cavities, and the urogenital systems of the fetal pig as described in the dissection lab manual.

Urogenital opening

The opening through which liquid wastes and reproductive cells pass; in females it is ventral to the anus, and in males it is posterior to the umbilical cord.

Genital papilla

A small projection marking the location of the urogenital opening in female fetal pigs.

Umbilical cord

The structure where the preservative is injected and which contains the umbilical vein and two umbilical vessels.

Scrotal sac

The ventral structure located posterior to the anus in male pigs which contains the testes.

Sensory papillae

Also known as taste buds, these are located on the side of the tongue.

Epiglottis

A cone-shaped structure at the back of the throat that closes when a pig swallows to cover the glottis.

Glottis

The small opening in the center of the epiglottis that leads to the trachea and lungs.

Pharynx

The cavity in the back of the mouth that serves as the junction for food (esophagus) and air (trachea).

Gestation period

The length of pregnancy for a fetal pig, which lasts between $112-115\text{ days}$.

Trachea

The airway to the lungs, identifiable by its cartilaginous rings which prevent it from collapsing.

Thyroid gland

A pinkish-brown, V-shaped structure lying atop the trachea that secretes hormones controlling growth and metabolism.

Larynx

Also called the voice box, this structure is located at the anterior of the trachea and allows the pig to produce sounds.

Diaphragm

A muscle that divides the thoracic and abdominal cavities and aids in the process of breathing.

Pericardium

The thin membrane that surrounds and protects the heart.

Pulmonary trunk

The vessel on the front of the heart which, in fetuses, connects to the aorta to bypass the non-functional lungs.

Aorta

The large vessel that arches from the heart to supply the body with oxygenated blood, becoming the abdominal (dorsal) aorta as it moves lower.

Common carotid

The vessel that branches into the left and right carotid arteries to supply the head and neck.

Coronary vessels

Arteries located on the outside surface of the heart that supply oxygenated blood to the myocardial muscle.

Jugular veins

Veins located in the neck that drain deoxygenated blood from the head back to the heart.

Liver

The largest organ in the body, which is lobed ($4\text{ lobes}$ in pigs) and responsible for making bile for digestion.

Gallbladder

A greenish organ located underneath the liver that stores bile and sends it to the duodenum.

Cardiac sphincter valve

The valve located at the junction of the esophagus and the stomach that regulates food entry.

Pyloric sphincter valve

The valve regulating the flow of food between the stomach and the duodenum.

Rugae

The folds found on the inside of the stomach.

Mesentery

The membrane that holds the coils of the small intestine (specifically the ileum) together and contains nutrient-absorbing arteries.

Pancreas

A bumpy, grey organ under the stomach that produces insulin, glucagon, digestive enzymes, and sodium bicarbonate.

Spleen

A flattened organ across the stomach that stores blood and removes old red blood cells.

Cecum

A "dead-end" branch found where the ileum joins the large intestine, used to help digest plant material.

Rectum

The last stretch of the large intestine where undigested food is stored as feces before exiting the anus.

Kidneys

Bean-shaped organs lying on either side of the spine that remove harmful substances from the blood to excrete as urine.

Ureters

Tubes that carry urine from the kidneys to the urinary bladder.

Urethra

The tube that carries urine from the urinary bladder out of the body.

Epididymis

A coiled structure around the testis where sperm cells pass.

Vas deferens

The tube through which sperm cells pass from the epididymis toward the urethra.

Uterine horns

The curled oviducts in female pigs where piglets develop; comparable to Fallopian tubes in humans.